The Association of Bribris de Talamanca Indigenous Tourist Guides (Agitubrit), Costa Rica’s first indigenous tourism agency, obtained official recognition from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) last week, said tourism authorities.

According to the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC), which provided guidance to the project, the recognition was granted August 4 in Suretka, Talamanca.

“For the Indigenous Territory Bribri to have a tourist declaration is so important … For Agitubrit is a great achievement, a step like many others that we have to take to continue to achieve our goals as young entrepreneurs in tourism,” said Melissa Espinoza, president of the association, at the ceremony.

The guides now have official recognition for organizing tours in the region and participating in national and international tourism fairs, their official status will also facilitate access to training and be involved in the various regional and local ICT development initiatives.

The agency offers a variety of tours focused on indigenous culture in the communities of Yorkin, Shuab, Suretka, Meleruk, Suiri, Amubri, Tsoki and Namu Wokir.

“We need to diversify tourism more as a product, and this type of projects and this type of tourism opens the stage for us to develop more programs,” explained Rafael Soto, ICT management assistant.

Some of the tours offered include treks through the primary forests of the Talamanca mountains, boat trips through the region’s rivers, waterfall tours, talks and exhibitions on indigenous traditions, visits to organic gardens and exhibition of medicinal plants, demonstration of traditional cocoa processing and indigenous gastronomy.